Japan protests to US over Marine's alleged robbery-murder in Okinawa

A 20-year-old US Marine stationed in Japan's southernmost prefecture of Okinawa was arrested by local police on Sunday on suspicion of robbing and murdering a woman, according to local media reports.

Davin Ballard, stationed at US Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, is being accused of killing a 39-year-old local woman and taking her wallet and backpack in the early hours of Saturday at a hotel in Naha, Kyodo News reported, citing Okinawa prefectural police.

The suspect was seen entering the hotel with the woman, who was found dead on Saturday morning. He was spotted, questioned and detained by a police officer on a street in Naha's entertainment district late Saturday, the report said.

Ballard has denied the allegations, according to the report. Police are investigating the details of the case.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said in a social media post on Sunday that "it is deeply regrettable that such an extremely brutal and heinous incident occurred." She said the Japanese government has lodged a strong protest with the US side, while strongly demanding maximum cooperation with the investigation, strict military discipline and thorough measures to prevent any recurrence of similar incidents.

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi also said on Sunday that the incident was "intolerable and absolutely unacceptable," expressing "strong indignation" over the case. He said the Defense Ministry had lodged a protest with the US side.

Japan's Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Takehiro Funakoshi lodged a protest on Sunday with US Ambassador to Japan George Glass over the case, the Foreign Ministry said.

The US Embassy in Japan said in a social media post on Sunday that it extended "deep condolences" to the family of the victim. Glass said he had conveyed to the Okinawa governor and Japan's Foreign Ministry the US side's intention to fully cooperate with the investigation. The III Marine Expeditionary Force, headquartered in Uruma, Okinawa, also issued a statement on Sunday, expressing condolences to the victim's family and friends.

Crimes committed by US military personnel stationed in Okinawa, including grave offenses such as murder, rape and robbery, have long been a serious and persistent issue.

Official statistics show that in 2025 alone, local police handled more than 100 criminal cases involving US service members and related personnel.

(With input from Xinhua)